Flag of Wales

Official Palette

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Symbolism

The red dragon (Y Ddraig Goch, 'the red dragon') is an ancient emblem of Welsh kings and Brittonic resistance. The green and white field comes from the Tudor livery of Henry VII, who claimed Welsh descent through the House of Tudor.

History

Dragons appear in Welsh literature from the 6th century onward. The red dragon was used by Owain Glyndŵr and later by the Tudor dynasty after Henry VII's victory at Bosworth. A flag with the dragon on green and white was carried at sea in the 19th century. In 1953 a royal badge-style flag was introduced; poets and nationalists campaigned for a bolder design, and Queen Elizabeth II approved the current flag by Royal Warrant on 1 February 1959. Wales is not represented separately on the Union Jack.

Construction

The flag has a 3:5 aspect ratio. A horizontal bicolour of white (top) and green (bottom) with a red dragon passant regardant, centred on the field.

Color Meanings

Did you know

The red dragon on the Welsh flag is one of the oldest national symbols in Europe, with roots in Roman and Celtic battle emblems.

Flags with resemblance

Visually close designs — compare colors and emblems, or try similarities mode.

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Flag Protocol

• The dragon should face the hoist (passant regardant toward the fly)
• When flown with the Union Jack, the Welsh flag should not replace the Union Jack as the senior national flag on official buildings in Wales unless local guidance allows both
• The 1953 version with a green mound and motto was superseded by the simpler 1959 design